Matched at BASIS -- any thoughts from current families, or those who left and why?

[Anonymous]

OP, there are some kids at Basis on travel teams-one of DC's classmates I know for certain is on a travel baseball team. Also, my own DC fences on the weekends (though Basis has the DC Fencing Club teach/run fencing after school as well), does scouting and bikes a great deal. Still, seeing more of the outdoors would be a nice addition to DC's school experience.
Our fear coming to Basis was that DC might need a more nurturing environment than they could offer, but I feel that they have stepped up to that challenge-the teachers are great-only one of DC's teachers I am not crazy about personally, and all of them spend an inordinate amount of time with the kids making sure they get it-they want (and need) students here to succeed. The 5th grade english teacher actually usually has too many people sitting around in her classroom doing homework during her office hours she is so popular, and DC eats lunch with Dc's friends in/with at least on of Dc's teacher's classrooms once or more a week. The administration (along with the teachers) also really keep the kids in line, which sometimes can be interpreted as being too strict, but DC shadowed both Latin and Basis last year and saw a lot more kids misbehaving and disrespecting teachers there than at Basis-personally, I think it is a matter of being open to whomever gets picked in the lottery so that not everyone who is there WANTS to be, and every charter will have troublemakers to about the same degree, depending on the day, subject etc. as far as sink or swim, half the 5th grade is in 90's club, which means their average is a 90 or better. My daughter goes to student hours once or twice a week, and always feels great afterwards. On etcher noticed what DC's strengths are as a learner and utilizes that when helping DC master something (visual learner/memory). HTH!

[Anonymous]

8:16 was a bit snippy, but I think I understand their sentiment. We are a happy BASIS family with a current 6th grader. Throughout the last few months, I've heard lots of parents saying that they really really want their kids to go to Latin, but that they're also applying to BASIS. The way they say it, it sounds like BASIS is a far distant 2nd choice and they would sent their kids there only because their in-bounds school is so very dismal. I'm kind of tired of hearing that. I'd like my children to be going to school with kids who are really excited to be there and not feeling like it's just a consolation prize.

So why do we like BASIS? My DC loves math and science -- those classes are great -- but he is also enjoying English and Latin. He loved Classics in 5th Grade. He works hard to get good grades, but the work load is not excessive. He pays close attention in class, does all his homework, and sees the very accessible teachers if he needs extra help. In 6th grade he has art every day and adores the art teacher. It's in a very convenient location and he can get to and from school by himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC loves math- current school has a very poor science curriculum, so nothing to judge that on, but I think that DC will like science. We are just hoping that some of her classmates might also make it in, or that the school might hold a meet and greet so that we can meet other families and feel more connected

Thanks!

BASIS parent here. There will be a meet and greet for new families. I will time/place post on DCUM if I can remember.

I am very pleased with BASIS. It is challenging but my daughter can get her homework done and still have time for 6+ hours of dance week day evenings, 1 after school club, 1 lunch club and morning tutoring. She goes to bed before 9. She gets nice grades and has grown in her organization skills to the point that I rarely have to interact with her w.r.t homework/tests this year. Last year (5th) we interacted more.

The standout positives to me are the math and science classes, its not that they are so advanced and overwhelming its that they have 9/10 classes in science in 5,6,7 grade. That give the time and repetition needed to be prepared for the hard work of High school/ 8th grade. The accelerated math can be found more readily, but that much science at that level is rare. The unexpected for our child was the love of classics and latin. They have a competitive Latin (Certamen) club that she loves and a teacher spends lots of time on. They have been doing very well at their Level against Middle and High school teams.

Negatives: The school has some behavior issues and some teachers are working to improve classroom management. This is not unheard of in DC. However, my child is learning and the school has worked hard to improve things last year versus this year. I would like to see greater diversity in the teaching staff.

Do not be surprised, the school work is challenging but if your child can rise to the challenge the school and teachers meet them. The biggest surprise is often "hey my kid gets As without trying now they get As/Bs and are working on homework every night". The parents need to be patient with their kids and kids need to realize life and school is not a breeze for everyone. (OK off my soapbox)

Overall very pleased.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the positive and helpful replies! Especially glad to hear that it is manageable with a life outside of school, which is one of my main concerns.

[Anonymous]

What number do you guess the Basis and Latin waitlists will get to this year? I have friends with kids who are waitlisted in the teens at these schools for 5th (some friends for Basis, one for Latin). In all cases, they very much want spots.

[Anonymous]

Teens for both will make it for 5th-the other grades will be. More challenging.